The Only Preparation We Really Need {Day 2}

Susanna (age 3) loves to visit our friend's horse, Joe. She talks about Joe all the time and notes when we head the direction of Joe's stables in Fall City. I often wonder if she fancies herself a professional horse whisperer when we are away from Joe.

When we're near him, it's a totally different story. Susanna is afraid of most dogs (ok, all), so she finds a very tall horse extremely frightening. Although she puts of a brave face and says she wants to be near him, she won't go near Joe on the floor. She won't pet his soft nose or feed him a nibble of apple.

So I encourage her, like a mom. I tell her she's brave, Joe is gentle, I can help her. When she objects to going closer, I remind her that she's ridden him before, all by herself, and she doesn't need to be afraid to walk near him. She can do it!

God has a totally different response to objections.

Take a look at Moses, objecting to God's plans at the burning bush in Exodus 3 (emphasis mine).

9 "And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

When Moses expressed his doubts, God did not say, "Moses! You are mighty in word and deeds because you were raised an Egyptian prince. You can do this!"

God said, "I will be with you."